Is it on display?

We’re refreshing many of our major displays. By moving pictures and sculptures around and putting new works on display, you’ll have more opportunities to explore our rich historic art collection in new ways.

Discover hidden gems, rarely shown out of storage before. Catch up with some familiar favourites returning to the gallery after appearances in major international exhibitions. Enjoy some of the most significant contemporary artworks we’ve acquired in recent years. And see some fabulous works on loan to the gallery from around the country.

Check here for suggestions of new things to see and for details of temporary room closures as we’re making these changes.

Gallery closures

Gallery of Craft and Design redesign

The Gallery of Craft and Design is being refurbished. It will reopen in autumn 2015.

Our decorative arts and costume collection is one of the most important in the UK, and extensive in scope and depth. The new design will be flexible enough to allow us to change the displays often, so we can showcase more of it. As a former Victorian theatre, the gallery is one of Manchester’s hidden architectural gems. The new layout, lighting and decorative scheme will breathe new life into the space, and enhance the beauty of its ornate interior.

You can view objects from the decorative arts and fashion collections online while the gallery is closed, and we’ll post images and updates documenting the progress of the project.

Paintings going out on loan 2013/14

The following paintings will be coming off display to go out on loan to major international exhibitions. They will be replaced temporarily with other works from the collection.